System, apparatus and method employed with enteral systems

A kit comprising:

• a connector including:
• a fitting including a longitudinal axis, an annular collar having an inside surface and an outside surface, the fitting including a threaded region located on the inside surface and configured to complete a fluid-tight connection with a medical device;
• a fastening region coupled to the fitting, the fastening region including a neck;
• and
• a body coupled to the fastening region, the body configured to provide a fluid-tight connection with a nasogastric tube assembly when at least partially inserted within the nasogastric tube assembly;
• and
• a rigid tether secured around the neck of the fastening region of the connector,
• wherein the rigid tether comprises a first fastening region and a second fastening region spaced from the first fastening region by a linear section having a first length, the neck being received in the first fastening region,
• wherein the first fastening region is defined by a continuous first semi-circular segment extending along an arc through an angle of greater than 180° in all operating positions and the second fastening region is defined by a continuous second semi-circular segment extending along an arc through an angle of greater than 180° in all operating positions, and
• wherein the rigid tether is configured to form an enclosed shape comprising the first fastening region, the second fastening region, and the linear section;
• the kit including the connector and the rigid tether being located in a single sealed product package.

A method of assembling an adapter kit, the method comprising:

• providing an adapter configured to complete a fluid-tight connection between a medical device and medical tubing including a main tube and a tube extension,
• the adapter including a fitting with a collar having a first outside diameter, a body, and a neck connecting the fitting to the body,
• the neck sized and configured with a second outside diameter smaller than the first outside diameter,
• the body configured to provide a fluid tight connection to the medical tubing when at least partially inserted therein, and
• the fitting including a threaded region located on an inside surface thereof and configured to provide a fluid-tight connection with the medical device;
• attaching a rigid tether around the neck of the adapter,
• wherein the rigid tether comprises a first fastening region and a second fastening region spaced from the first fastening region by a linear section having a first length, the neck being received in the first fastening region,
• wherein the first fastening region is defined by a continuous first semi-circular segment extending along an arc through an angle of greater than 180° in all operating positions and the second fastening region is defined by a continuous second semi-circular segment extending along an arc through an angle of greater than 180° in all operating positions, and
• wherein the rigid tether is configured to form an enclosed shape comprising the first fastening region, the second fastening region, and the linear section;
• and
• packaging the adapter and rigid tether in a single sealed product package.

A connector system configured to fluidly connect a nasogastric tube assembly including a main tube and a tube extension to a medical device, the system comprising:

• a connector including:
• a fitting configured to provide a fluid-tight connection with the medical device;
• a neck coupled to the fitting, the neck configured to attach to the nasogastric tube assembly;
• and
• a body coupled to the neck, the body configured to provide a fluid-tight connection with the nasogastric tube assembly when at least partially inserted within the lumen;
• and
• a rigid tether configured to secure to the nasogastric tube assembly, the rigid tether comprising a first fastening region defined by a continuous first semi-circular segment extending along an arc through an angle of greater than 180° in all operating positions, a link extending from an end of the first fastening region and defined by a first linear segment and a second linear segment, a second fastening region defined by a continuous second semi-circular segment extending along an arc through an angle of greater than 180° in all operating positions and extending from an end of the link,
• wherein the rigid tether is configured to form an enclosed shape comprising the first fastening region, the second fastening region, the first linear segment, and the second linear segment.